Editoral
Feature
See what kind of spirit MHS has to offer
Reviewing new MHS security policy
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Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758 mhsthechief@gmail.com
Arts
Sports
MHS students recap the 2014 Warped Tour
Varsity football takes on Valley Stream Central
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The
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Chief
Vol. 63 – No. 1
September 24, 2014 www.thechiefonline.com
Massapequa High School’s Chief Source of News
Changes for tomorrow: the new future of MHS security BY VINCENT COGHILL COPY EDITOR
A new school year has dawned, bringing a wave of new students and changes. Some students are brand new to the building, while others have traversed it many times before. However, with the introduction of new security protocols, the MHS experience has changed for all students, including seniors and faculty. With continued security threats at schools across the nation, MHS has innovated its security protocols with intent of further securing its students. As students found out, entrances have been limited for students to the center lobby and all students are required to wear a gold Massapequa High School lanyard with a school-issued ID card. This is done to help make the open campus experience safer, according to principal Dr. Barbara Williams. “Open campus is a lifestyle which we do not wish to change, so we do this to minimize risks.” With the students properly identified by their visible ID cards in conjunction with the
badges for faculty and visitor passes, faculty and support staff are able to pinpoint who is not checked in or who is not supposed to be in the building. Many students have accepted the new wave of security protocols. The idea has received praise for acting as a deterrent against non-students entering the building without any sort of check-in. “It helps staff identify who belongs in the school and who doesn’t belong in the school,” senior Brandon Gordon said. In addition, many teachers have accepted the new protocol. “It’s an unfortunate necessity based upon today’s situation,” physics teacher Mr. Benbasset said. However, some students have not been receptive to the lanyards and new school protocol. Some students understand its purpose but feel they are being unnecessarily overused. “We shouldn’t have to wear them in the halls. As long as all doors are being monitored, no uninvited people will be in the building,” senior Andrew Bernardi said.
There have also been those who have silently protested the use of the lanyards by manipulating them. Some have swapped ID cards with other students while others use ID cards from students of different schools. Others have worn different lanyards than had been issued, breaching the new security protocol. In response, school administrators have banned the defacement and transfer of ID cards. Although the security policies are in place, they do not provide a foolproof system. According to senior Lauren Tortorice, she entered the building without a lanyard and was stopped at the door and asked why she did not have a lanyard. “I told them I didn’t have it and they asked for my name and they gave me a supervised lunch pass,” she said. She continued to explain that her name was not checked on a school roster to see if she was a real student nor did they ask for additional identification to see if she was actually the person she said she was. Dean of Students Mr. Patrick Howard acknowledged
the potential lapse in security, but added that flaws are being fixed continually and that the system is a work in progress. “Between the deans and staff monitoring the entrances, we know most of our students’ faces, but it is possible that, right now, someone could enter with a pass without being identified,” Mr. Howard said. “We will look into it and change our policy to prevent it.“ Students have also expressed their distaste of the lanyards through a satirical Twitter account, which retweets complaints from MHS students and alumni regarding these lanyards and expresses doubts about the security they provide. For instance, one picture posted shows an infamous convicted criminal wearing a Massapequa High School lanyard, suggesting that anyone with a lanyard would be able to enter the building anyway. Still, as one looks at the new lanyards and IDs, he or she must understand that they are in an infantile stage and not fully developed. Adminis-
tration has more ideas for the IDs than to simply use them as security tools. Each ID card has a barcode on it, which Dr. Williams hopes could be used for the convenience of students. These barcodes would be used to enter the building and check out library books, to name just a few of their possible uses. Call it an all-access pass to what the school has to offer. In the end, these lanyards are not going to go away. The modern world of security threats has caused the school to take action and make necessary changes to their security procedures. Whether you believe it works or not is up for discussion. Even as Massapequa High School enters a new age of security, it still will not be 100 percent safe. Tomorrow will always bring forward a new today and Massapequa High School will undergo changes again and again as time goes on. However, how the school adapts to these changes helps minimize risk, which is the goal of Dr. Williams and everyone involved at the high school.
Roving reporter: MHS weighs in on new lanyard policy
KALLEIGH REGAN // THE CHIEF
“They’re a great fashion accessory!” -Ms. Martingano, teacher
“I think they’re dumb and unneccessary.” -Luke Kmiotek, grade 11
“It causes me stress in the morning and it makes me late.” -Lauren Tortorice, grade 12
“Comform with the socialist, wear the dog collar.” -Rob Catinella, grade 12
EDITORIAL
SEPT 24, 2014
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nelson Gomez MANAGING EDITOR Brandan Lawrence BUSINESS MANAGER Jeffrey Horowitz BRANDAN LAWRENCE // THE CHIEF
COPY EDITORS Vincent Coghill Jill Hand Kaitlyn Lucey PHOTO EDITOR Kalleigh Regan EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Timothy Keuchler Nick Petrillo PHOTOGRAPHERS Adriana Franco Jennie Toutoulis ADVISOR Elyn Coyle Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
Editorial Policy
The Chief, the student newspaper of Massapequa High School, is an open forum to discuss the student body’s issues and concerns. Members of The Chief will make every effort to publish following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. Consistent with the first amendment of the United States Constitution, the staff also will refrain from printing material that may incite students, be a violation of MHS’ Student Code of Conduct or disrupt school operations. The editorial board of The Chief welcomes and encourages submitted letters, stories, cartoons and any other feedback to the editor. Please send all submissions to mhsthechief@gmail.com. Letters sent by email may need to be verified by student signature before publishing. • Although anonymous letters to the editor are not printed, names will be held upon request. The Chief has the right to deny publication of any editorial, column, review or comment. • Grammatical and/or spelling corrections will be made; however, the content will not be altered. • Corrections will be printed when mistakes are found or brought to the attention of the staff. • Original stories will carry bylines, although stories rewritten by someone other than the original author will not receive a byline. Contributing writers will be listed at the end of an article. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work. • All columns, reviews or commentary are strictly the opinion of the writer and may not represent opinions held by the school board, administration, sponsors, parents, student body or advertisers. However, all editorials reflect the viewpoint of The Chief editorial board. Distribution: 1,700 copies 1,859 students, 194 teachers All papers are free
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Identity Crisis | Many students have opposed or protested the new lanyards and ID badges for a variety of reasons.
EDITORIAL
“Lanyards? We don’t need no stinkin’ lanyards” As MHS students prepared for a new school year, administrative faculty sent home letters explaining the institution of new policies to protect students. Notably, beginning this school year, students will be issued unique ID cards, and will be required to wear them specifically on a yellow lanyard provided by the school under a code of conduct policy that allows adult personnel to ask for identification at any time. School administrators have explained that the new policy is intended to maintain security and safety by making students more identifiable. By requiring all students to wear their ID cards around their necks on a highly visible yellow lanyard, staff are able to quickly catch potential trespassers who would lack such identifying features. “Because of the open campus policy and because of the size of our building, we have large numbers of students who enter and leave the building all day long,” Principal Dr. Barbara Williams said. “The community, [and] the Board of Education have expressed concern of what Massapequa High School is going to do to enhance student safety, and it could be an issue that... we don’t recognize every single face.” Moreover, the barcodes on each ID card could be used in the future to install technology that makes student life more convenient. The school district could, for instance, upgrade security at the high school by installing scanners on entrance doors that allow students to swipe in at any time. This could then be expanded fur-
ther in the future to automatically check students in upon late arrival and mark their attendance. Though the ID cards exist as a temporary security measure at the moment, the use of the barcoded IDs for applications like checking out books at the library or buying lunch in the cafeteria could improve student life. Indeed, the ID cards provide an opportunity for Massapequa to become one of the most technologically advanced public schools on Long Island. Despite this, the policy has drawn widespread ire among students, even sparking the creation of a parody account on Twitter. Among other reasons, students have complained about the strict implementation of the new rules, which can include in-school suspension after failing to wear it after several incidents and requires students caught without their IDs to attend supervised lunch. Additionally, the lanyards have been called uncomfortable and distracting, and because students’ ID cards and lanyards must be visible at all times on school grounds during the school day, many students believe that it takes away from the individuality of their dress. Still, some students support the ID badge policy, believing that it isn’t a large hassle and contributes to the security of the school. Dr. Williams also states that having students wear their badges throughout the day is a necessity for keeping order in the building, and has reiterated administration’s statement at this year’s opening assembly,
where they also announced that only MHS main campus students would be allowed at the opening Massapequa– Farmingdale football game, and would also be required to wear their lanyards. “We cannot have what’s happened in the community happen again,” Dr. Williams said, referencing fights that have broken out at Massapequa–Farmingdale games in the past. Administration ultimately allowed pre-approved Dalers fans and Ames students on a gate list to attend. Teachers have generally been indifferent toward the idea of students wearing lanyards, but also lean toward support for it. On the whole, the school’s new badge policy is largely harmless to students, and provides a renewed sense of security for students and faculty. However, the problem with it is that it provides very little real security. Trespassers on school grounds have largely been students who have already graduated that were briefly visiting friends or teachers, eliminating a slight nuisance if anything. Still yet, the emphasis on security seems unnecessary, as MHS has not had a deadly incident aside from a shooting in 1958 — an outlier in history. More starkly, were an intruder to enter the building with the intent to cause harm, requiring an ID badge would do nothing to stop the incident. Since 46 percent of school shootings since January 2008 have been committed by students according to an observational study by the Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center, threats from inside the
building would not be caught either. If anything, the school’s campus security force, consisting of trained former police officers, would be required to intervene in any case. Above all, however, the lanyard policy and restricting the movement of students returning from and going to lunch simply take away from the feeling of freedom students would normally get from the high school. The implementation of the new protocols, including strict punishments such as supervised lunch and detentions, over something as minor as having proper student identification or going out for lunch feels less like high school and more like middle school in terms of independence and personal responsibility. Being pulled from a crowd for not having a visible lanyard and threatened with suspension simply seems overblown, and the amount of attention the idea has received from disciplinary staff for something that provides little real security, even by deterrence, only increases the perception. Safety is a critical part of campus life that should always be evaluated carefully, and the Massapequa School District has made great efforts to ensure it for all students and staff. Unfortunately, between being required to wear ID badges around our necks to identify ourselves and the bizarre “traffic pattern” established for students going to and from lunch, the school’s new rules are an inconvenience to students and little more than security theatre — an act that gives the appearance of security where it does not significantly exist.
SEPT 24, 2014
COMMENTARY
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BRANDAN LAWRENCE // THE CHIEF
Disease Runs Rampant | Sleeping in class and laziness can become common as senioritis spreads to a near-epiedemic level in Massapequa High School.
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MHS students should be wary as old bug hits seniors BY BRANDAN LAWRENCE MANAGING EDITOR
With epidemics of varying natures breaking out on a weekly basis, keeping up with modern health news can be crucial to staying healthy. A persistent, somewhat modern strain of an ancient ailment seems to have taken hold in MHS, however. This virus severely impacts the physical and cognitive abilities of the affected, and has even been known to induce completely lethargic states of mind. It is also highly contagious, as it can be caught by simply observing the infected. It is the only known disease that impacts such a narrow group of possible victims — high school students ages 16 to 18. It may start as nothing more than being a bit extra tired in class or scoring a few points lower than one normally does on exams, but it
has the ability to escalate and mutate right under the nose of its poor victim until he is only a mere shadow of who he once was. This is the grossly awesome power of one of the most widely destructive and narrowly studied health issues on the globe — senioritis. Imagine a high school junior who has just walked out of his last AP exam with nothing ahead of him except a few quick weeks of class, a few tests, and then a summer of fun. He worked hard all year, showed the world what he can do, made his parents and teachers proud, and deserves to take it easy for a few weeks — right? Wrong. This is the lapse in mental defense that allows this evil parasite to invade your body and wreak havoc on studies. It’s alright though, you were able to finish up junior year strong despite the ini-
tial infection and are enjoying the summer months without a single worry on your mind. In July, summer assignments haven’t even crossed your mind. By August, the summer assignments lay undone, but it’s only halfway through summer so there’s nothing to worry about. Then September rolls around and it’s too late—you have been beaten. You are no longer in control. So after the annual all-nighter to scrape something together and pass it off as human writing, you think that you can return to your normal scholastic habits, but the bug has something else in store for you. When all of the first tests start to roll around it will tell you, “You don’t need to study, you’re a senior!” This assurance is enough to lower your GPA by a few points but nothing drastic has happened
to your scholarly career. Once you are completely and utterly destroyed and devastated by the college application process your body’s defenses are down. The last fibers of morality, dedication, pride, and perseverance that you had left in your body have disintegrated into a powder of lethargy that only further feeds the beast within you. Once this has occurred, there is not much you can do aside from sit back and watch your academics flow away faster than the single tear flowing down your cheek. Everything that you once believed in, that you once lived for, that made you what you are is now dead, and you are helpless in the process. You can try to reach out to your peers for help, but this almost never works. Half of them will be in a similar, if not worse state than you and the
others will be avoiding you at all costs, as their averages are still salvageable. While you are busy not doing school work you begin to notice things that you never have before: who your friends really are, what you do when no one is watching, where you go when you think there is nowhere else, when some tiny gesture can mean the world to someone, and why it is all worthwhile. There is a word for what you experience during your bout of senioritis: life. Up until this point many never experience much outside of school. While it is still a terrible disease, senioritis is a necessary component of every graduating class. That’s not to say that it is a good idea to cut class every day, but taking a step back to let the dust settle every now and then can’t hurt.
Haute or horrible? The question of couture raises discussion BY KATIE MCMAHON STAFF WRITER
Couture — the ultimate unattainable. Model after serious-faced model strutting down the runway pinned in crewel-embroidered, silkdraped, figure-suffocating pieces put forth by the most esteemed houses of fashion. Haute couture, by definition, is a fashion tradition where elite designers create one-of-a-kind, handmade products with expensive materials that foreshadow upcoming fashion trends in elaborate seasonal fashion shows. Designers, people in the fashion industry, news reporters, and couture lovers flock to these shows so they can get ahead in that season’s fashion trends. The past few years have been eventful and controversial for fashion critics and
couture lovers alike. By 2013, couture had moved away from the geometric, almost architectural designs made popular by Givenchy (and the rappers in pop culture who flaunted it) and were softened by loosely structured designs. Some critics argue that these changes are a product of changing times, while others argue the shift is intentional and permanent. Couture is known for being excessive and often unusual — which is where debate can arise. Karl Lagerfeld has been the creative director of Chanel since 1983, to the interest and disapproval of many fashion connoisseurs. Beginning in 2012, Chanel’s prefall campaign was somewhat strange, even to lovers of the fashion house. The previously primand-proper house’s spread in
Vogue consisted of scruffy dreadlocks, nose rings, and tweed jackets. These oddities did not prove to be short lived. In 2013, the house’s spread in Vogue featured models that looked almost alien, shown floating with shaggy “myolder-sister-cut-my-hair” bob haircuts. Editors attempted to rationalize this radical change in direction by stating the new trends put out by couture fashion houses were simply setting the stage for the next era of fashion; however, it still doesn’t seem to make sense, and the most popular commentary on social media is that “Coco Chanel must be rolling in her grave.” Robin Givhan, former fashion editor for The Washington Post, told Newsweek that Lagerfeld was “overrated”; others have
shared the view that these bizarre designs were a bit pretentious: so strange that people wonder if even the designers themselves can explain their significance. Nevertheless, directors at Chanel are insistent on this divergence from the house’s traditional designs. In Lagerfeld’s defense, deciding between what is creative license and what is criticized is subjective. Criticism of couture is often more visceral than cerebral, in that the reception of a piece is often dependent only on a person’s initial reaction. Something you would normally think is strange, you end up loving. And often the peculiarity of the piece itself is what makes people interested. Critics have not been solely disapproving towards recent runways; Elie Saab can do no wrong in the eyes of fashion
critics. His pieces are coveted in the world of black tie culture, and are worn to nearly every red carpet event. With his use of lace and shimmering crystal hand- embroidery, the Lebanese designer incorporates the delicateness and elegance of florals and femininity into his creations. His models are not the gaunt, angular types that are typically associated with the image of other high end designers. His runways tend to consist of radiant and smiling conventionally beautiful models that don’t look like they’re living on Smart Water and Tic Tacs. And essentially, couture is both lovely and frustrating — pushing the line between aesthetics and making a statement. Bold or disastrous? That’s for anyone to decide.
SEPT 24, 2014
COMMENTARY
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BOB ANDRES // MCT CAMPUS
Spark in a Powder Keg | Guns are a part of household life for more than one-third of the nations’s citizens, yet others feel they have no place in the home.
Changes in gun control and culture are needed in U.S. BY NELSON GOMEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
gun culture. Firearms are usually kept at home because of the belief that enemies could invade Switzerland — a very small country — very quickly. Thus, soldiers had to be ready and able to fight their way to their regiment’s assembly point, rooting their convictions in a sense of patriotic duty. Moreover, responsibility and safety are beliefs that are heavily anchored in Swiss society and are passed from generation to generation, with kids as young as twelve years old joining gun clubs to learn sharpshooting and gun safety. “Social conditions are fundamental in deterring crime,” Peter Squires, a professor of criminology and public policy
at the University of Brighton in Great Britain, said in an interview with TIME. “If people have a responsible, disciplined and organized introduction into an activity like shooting, there will be less risk of gun violence.” To make any progress in reducing gun crime in the United States, action needs to be taken both in the chambers of our nation’s legislatures as well as in our own homes and communities. Loaded firearms should not be carried in public, and background checks for all firearm owners would also reduce the likelihood of mentally ill or violent individuals from obtaining them. “Missouri’s 2007 repeal of its permit-to-purchase hand-
gun law, which required all handgun purchasers to obtain a license verifying that they have passed a background check, contributed to a fourteen percent increase in Missouri’s murder rate,” researchers with the John Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research said in a news release. Therefore, guns should not be seen as the only means of self-defense, and individuals should be taught, even from a young age, that they can be used responsibly for sharpshooting and hunting, instead of for self-defense and violence. Such a sense of social responsibility would reduce the need for gun ownership in the United States to come under fire.
NATE BEELER // MCT CAMPUS
In recent years, mass shootings have become an increasingly familiar sight to watch and read about on television news networks and in the paper. Public safety officials and schools are growing concerned about this apparent trend. MHS, for instance, now requires students to show their ID cards to gain entrance to the building. While the public fears— and certainly, mass media suggests—that public shootings and copycats are becoming a more recurring spectacle, experts say that they are not, in fact, becoming more common. “Without minimizing the pain and suffering of the hundreds who have been victimized in senseless attacks, the facts say clearly that [there] has been no increase in mass killings, and certainly no epidemic,” Dr. James Alan Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University, said in a column for Boston.com. Still, gun-related crime is a problem that continuously comes up every time a mass shooting is discussed. The United States had five firearm-related homicides per 100,000 people in 2011, according to the United Nations. The United States still owns the most guns per capita, which in 2007 was a world record 88.8 firearms per 100 people according to data collected by The Guardian, and is now at a supple 90 firearms per 100 people, with Yemen in second with 58.2 firearms per 100 people. Meanwhile, Switzerland,
with 45.7 firearms per 100 people and the third highest rate of gun ownership, only had 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people in 2010 according to government figures. Finland, with 45.3 firearms per 100 people and number four in gun ownership, had 0.45 homicides per 100,000 people in 2007. So why is it that the United States has a homicide rate just over six and a half times that of Finland, or nearly four times as high as Switzerland’s? For one thing, Finland has gun control laws that supplement those of the European Union, prohibiting loaded guns from being carried in public except by police and security guards with closely defined working conditions, training, and a permit. Extensive background checks in Finland are carried out in a uniform manner across the entire country, unlike the United States which has fragmented laws that limit the effectiveness of gun control. Moreover, to obtain a license to own a gun, the applying individual must present a valid reason to own a gun, where self-defense is not considered an acceptable reason. Hunters, hobbyists, professionals and collectors must present evidence supporting their reasons for obtaining a firearm as well. For another, Switzerland has an ubiquitous gun culture where sharpshooting is considered a fun recreational activity and the right to bear arms is seen as necessary. Still, there is a very low rate of firearm-related crimes due to its
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SPIRIT WEEK SEPT 24, 2014
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Spirit Week 2014
All photos by Kalleigh Regan // The Chief.
ENTERTAINMENT Warped Tour once again takes Long Island by storm SEPT 24, 2014
BY JACKIE ANGELO STAFF WRITER
Saturday, July 12 kicked off with a bang as hundreds of tour buses piled into the Jones Beach Theatre parking lot, along with tons of fans awaiting what was to come. All this hype could only mean one thing — Warped Tour 2014 had officially hit Long Island. Warped Tour is not a single band, but rather about 100 bands that tour throughout the United States and perform at various venues on different dates. At Jones Beach, there were approximately eight stages and hundreds of tents. At each stage, there was a slightly different genre of music with different groups playing the type. One of the most popular stages seemed to be the Electric Soul Stage, which had relatively well known bands such as Bowling for Soup and The Summer Set, who is planning
on releasing their new album in Spring 2015, according to alterthepress.com. The genre of music demonstrated by these bands was a mixture of rock and pop, which people normally tend to hear on the radio, which made sense because they always attracted the largest crowds and performed on one of the bigger stages. For the people who would trade physical instruments for computer-synthesized sounds and preferred a louder and more fast-paced type of music, the Beatport Stage was a popular location. Artists such as Crizzly and Antiserum got the crowd jumping and going crazy when the beat dropped. However, the standout was Watsky, who proved to be the biggest surprise performer on the Beatport lineup. George Watsky, who was originally involved in slam poetry, showed his music was different by using a mixture of his rapping
and the soulful voice of his female background singer, as well as the use of different instruments such as a harmonica and trumpet. In contrast to the light rock at the Electric Soul Stage and Beatport Stage, the Monster Energy Stage was a place for heavy metal rockers at heart. Bands like Attila gave high energy, high intensity, and high-pitched screams, which really got the crowd going. The crowd seemed to get too crazy, however, when they began forming mosh pits, and making it dangerous for people standing nearby. Despite the “no mosh pit or stage diving” rules, which was enforced by the use of signs, both the crowds and bands didn’t listen. Almost every stage regardless of what kind of music there was, featured people forming giant circles in the crowd and running around and flailing their bod-
mobs of people, and people who were on the “guest list” but didn’t know where to go were seemingly just as clueless . “Getting in was difficult and poorly arranged, but once you entered Warped Tour, it was pretty clean and planned out,” junior Kaitlyn Oddo said. Despite the safety concerns and problems getting in, Warped Tour proved once again to be a fun event, where hundreds of people came to watch some of their favorite bands and discover even more types of new music. “Everyone who was there, of every nationality, gender, and age, was there for the music,” junior Nicole Schiraldi said. Everyone there all shared the same interests in music and Warped Tour seemed to be a place to let their inner punk or heavy rocker shine through.
Remembering a Legend | The Emmys paid tribute to Robin Williams this year.
Carpe Diem from start to end: Robin Williams remembered BY JEFFREY HOROWITZ BUSINESS MANAGER
Released in 1996, The Birdcage was a “Meet the Parents” type movie. However, the son’s parents were gay lovers, who also ran a drag club called “The Birdcage” attached to the house while the daughter’s parents consisted of a very conservative politician running for re-election and a traditional, housewife mother. As comedies go, The Birdcage brought both laughter and meaningful social themes to the silver screen, a quality not all movies of this genre manage to fulfill. It stars Robin Williams as Armand Goldman, the father and owner of the drag club, and Nathan Lane as Albert, Armand’s lover, and the star of the drag shows. Williams breathed life into his role of an unconventional parent,
and like in so many other of his films, managed to balance laugh-out-loud comedy with strong acting skills and an unforgettable persona. Overall, it was yet another showing of who was one of the world’s most charismatic actors. The world was undeniably shocked by Robin William’s death this past summer. Passing away the morning of August 11, 2014, the world, according to his daughter Zelda, “ is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence.” However, hearing how he passed is not the purpose of this article; rather than focusing on his demise, we wish to remember and honor the Robin Williams movie magic that we all grew up experiencing. Williams had over a 100 credits to his name, including four movies just this year, and
several cameos and appearances in programs simply as himself. Even Koko, the world’s most intelligent gorilla, recognized him when he visited her in 2001. There are simply so many credits to his name that listing them could fill volumes of pages with ease, but maybe his most popular appearance among younger people would have been his voicing of the genie in Aladdin, or perhaps when he played Mrs. Doubtfire, or when he was in Jumanji, hoping not to have a bad roll of the dice. The list goes on. Nominated for four Oscars — three for lead actor and one for supporting actor — Williams won in the latter category in the 1998 Academy Awards for his role as Sean McGuire in Good Will Hunting. Before he was in Hollywood blockbusters, though,
Williams made his start as a stand-up comic, famous for some wicked improvisation during his spiels. Williams was also a regular on the widespread, emotional St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital commercials; after learning of his passing, the association released a statement that read, “Mr. Williams generously gave his time to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude and for our patients battling childhood cancer.” Philanthropy, as well as his acting chops, was something else he was not short on. Williams performed for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, as a part of the United Service Organizations (USO). Most will remember the joy that Robin Williams brought to them, be it through his movies or his stand-up.
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ROBERT GAUTHIER // MCT CAMPUS
JACKIE ANGELO // THE CHIEF
Music Fans Go Wild | This year’s Warped Tour proved to be one to remember.
ies at people. This got dangerous, especially when a man actually unknowingly punched somebody in the jaw. Stage diving was also a cool experience, especially when a performer jumped in the crowd, even though it too was not allowed, because just like mosh pits, people can get seriously hurt. According to MailOnline.com, George Watsky jumped from stage lights thirty feet in the air in November, causing him to be sent off in a stretcher and also broke a female fan’s arm. Although nothing quite that extreme happened during any of the shows, most of the performers always got around to a stage dive. Although Warped Tour was filled with a great deal of high energy and was pretty well organized inside of the vicinity, getting in seemed to be the toughest part. There were no lines, but rather chaotic
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There is so much to say about the beloved actor, and the Internet has taken to uphold Williams in blessed memoriam. Countless tweets and posts have been put up in his memory, and as we all know, what goes on the Internet has a tendency of staying there, which in this case is good. It is the hope of all that future generations will look past the sorrow of his personal life leading up to his untimely death, and look at the positive differences he made through his films and charity. He possessed a charm in film that few will ever hope to match, and had a knack for putting smiles on our faces, whether young or old, in high spirits or in depression, and that is what truly makes him unforgettable.
SEPT 24, 2014
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FEATURE
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New Sophomores Take MHS | The sophomore class is ready to show MHS what they’ve got to contribute to the Massapequa High School community.
My sophomore experience: what 10th graders should expect BY TIM KEUCHLER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
For as long as I can remember I longed for the day that I could go out for lunch, talk with my friends near my locker like they do in the movies, and go to varsity games with the rest of the school’s upperclassmen. In the fall of last year, I finally got my wish as I began my sophomore year at Massapequa High School. With a new school year came a whole lot of new confusion. Before the first day of school came around again last fall, I became very concerned about how the year would go and wondered what the new school year would bring. I didn’t know my way around the long hallways, or which staircase was the best to use to get to a specified location, or which eatery had the best deals for lunch. In addition, I didn’t know how the upperclassmen would treat the sophomores or how much work I would get, but soon enough I knew the answers to all of these questions. Navigating MHS When I was younger, I was always petrified to go to high school because the school seemed dauntingly large. However, in the first week of my sophomore year, I realized the school is not as big as an outsider may think. MHS is
actually easy to navigate because for the most part, each floor is set up in the same pattern. Because there are multiple staircases in the school, choosing the right one to get to your destination can be crucial in terms of arrival time. When picking the right staircase to go up, you must take into account where your classroom is and think about which set of stairs would bring you closest to it. Another tip involving the staircases is that although the middle set may look very appealing and convenient, sometimes you are better off using one of the side sets because of how crowded the middle stairs can get. It is also important to note that the staircases at the high school are not set up the way they are at Berner, and there are no specified staircases to go up and down, so you must always be aware of where you’re walking. Typically, the science classrooms are in the same spot on each floor, and if any of your classrooms are numbered below 100, you can be sure to find them in the basement. Lunch As students at MHS, we have the privilege of having an “open campus” policy during
lunch periods that allows us to exit the building and eat lunch elsewhere or eat lunch in the Cyber Cafe. Because there are only about forty minutes during lunch, the best choice is to eat somewhere within a walking distance, like somewhere in the Southgate Shopping Center or along Merrick Road. Luckily for us, there are plenty of choices that can fit whatever you are craving — be it pizza, bagels, or Chinese food. Additionally, most places offer student deals that are only available to MHS students during school hours; expect to bring at least five dollars a day because most options hover around this amount. When I started high school, I was nervous that I wouldn’t get back to the school in time to make it to my class. However, I realized that if you leave a few minutes early from where you’re eating, you can make it back to the school in time with minutes to spare. In terms of offers during lunch, my favorite place to eat is Crostini’s because of their great pizza, generous student deals, and staff that is always kind to the students that eat there. I also learned that it is best to get to the place you desire to eat at quickly, because if you wait too long, you may not be able to get a table and you
might have to deal with long lines. When the weather isn’t warm and inviting, many student began to realize it isn’t always worth going out in the rain and snow, so they decided to bring a lunch or buy lunch in the cafeteria instead, which is completely acceptable. Although I have never eaten in the cafeteria, there were days I wished I did, because nobody likes to go through the rest of the school day dripping wet. Upperclassmen In media, it always seems that the upperclassman bully the underclassmen in high school in different locations such as the hallways and at lunch. In my experience, this doesn’t happen. As a sophomore, there are plenty of things you have to worry about, but bullying by the upperclassman shouldn’t be one of them. Typically, the juniors and seniors have other things they’re worrying about anyway, so sophomores shouldn’t be nervous or scared around them. Sophomores also have the chance of being placed in classes with juniors and seniors. Having students from other grades in some of your electives is a great way to meet new people because sometimes it can be a bit routine having the same kids in your
classes year after year. Workload Although sophomore year is a year above freshman year, don’t expect a huge change in the amount of homework you receive. Sure, you will receive more work in your classes, but it isn’t anything you shouldn’t be able to handle. In my experience, I had more homework in freshman year than I did in sophomore year, so don’t stress out about work before it even begins. Sophomore year is also the beginning of your opportunity to challenge yourself in multiple Advanced Placement (AP) tests. While you can expect an academic challenge in these classes, advanced classes are a great decision for those who have high goals for academic success. Looking back at my experience, I loved sophomore year — it definitely became one of my favorite grades when it wrapped up in June. As I enter my junior year, I hope I can continue to be as lucky as I was last year and enjoy it just as much. I wish all the sophomores this year good luck and hope that you all enjoy your sophomore year as much as I did.
MHS clubs offer much more to do after ninth period BY BRANDAN LAWRENCE MANAGING EDITOR
Upon entering a new school year, one is often flooded with an overwhelming number of new people to meet, activities to do after school, and of course, added responsibilities. One excellent way to help acclimate yourself to Massapequa High School is by joining clubs, and with over fifty to choose from, finding a club that fits your needs and interests will not be difficult. Any interests that MHS students may have often have several clubs in the same field. Music For those interested in music, there is Tri-M, Cantate,
Poparazzi, and Jazz Band. Tri-M is a music honor society that often helps at school plays and concerts. Cantate is a select singing group that showcases some of the best vocal talent that Massapequa has to offer, and requires an audition to join. The school jazz band gets to perform different kinds of music not seen in the school’s regular ensembles, and the Poparazzi is an orchestral group that performs arrangements of everything from new pop hits to timeless rock classics. These clubs can satisfy the musical needs of any new student. Science The sciences also have a
strong foothold in the MHS club world. Massapequa High School’s robotics team is one of the best in the nation, and represented Massapequa in the World Robotics Competition last year. MHS also has the forensics club, and Science Olympiad teams which compete on an annual basis.
Writing/Photography Students interested in writing or photography also have a host of options to choose from. Visions Art and Literary Magazine allows student writers, artists, and photographers to showcase and publish their work. Of course, they may also be interested in contributing to Massapequa
High School’s award winning student newspaper, The Chief.
Community MHS also has a multitude of clubs available for students that want to help out their fellow students and community. The Best Buddies chapter at MHS helps students with special needs find new friends and opportunities, while also teaching valuable lessons to its members. The C.A.R.E. Club works to raise awareness and support for people living with cancer in our community, while Chief’s Challenge works to help teach and spread civility, kindness, and respect throughout the community. The Key Club also helps
students improve the community by providing service to those in need. Finally, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is an MHS club that helps to raise LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) awareness and acceptance. Any of these clubs — or one of the many more not mentioned — are the perfect way to ease into life at Massapequa High School, while providing useful experience and adding a little spice to one’s college transcript. With these many different options and possibilities, it’s hard not to become involved at Massapequa High School.
SEPT 24, 2014
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THE CHIEF
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SPORTS
SEPT 24, 2014
THE CHIEF
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JENNIE TOUTOULIS // THE CHIEF
Clipped Wings | The Chiefs continuously shut down the Valley Stream Central Eagles’ offensive drives and skirted around their weak defenses.
Chiefs clobber Eagles 61-0, Chief Nation leaves stands BY VINCENT COGHILL COPY EDITOR
The Chiefs showed no mercy at Massapequa’s homecoming game against the Valley Stream Central Eagles on Saturday, September 20. Not once did the Eagles ever make it near the red zone during their offensive drives. The Chiefs started off strong, with their first play of the game being a touchdown pass from senior Joe Butterworth to senior Paul Dilena. That would set the stage for the rest of the game to come. The Eagles’ sloppy offensive drives made it easy for the defense to force multiple punts and stop the Eagles within four downs. The Eagles had many errors, including hikes over the quarterback’s head, missed
screen passes, and blown coverage at the line leading to many sacks. The Chiefs scored nearly half of their points in the first quarter with a score of 27 - 0. The second quarter was no different than the first quarter. The Eagles’ defense could not handle the offensive pressure of the Chiefs. Seniors Steve Koester and Nick Yevoli dragged the defense with them as they marched up the field with ease. While the Chiefs only scored one touchdown, the Eagles were unable to advance up the field yet again. By the fourth quarter, the game had gotten so far out of hand that the time of the game was taken off the scoreboard and running time was kept on the field. The Chiefs would
win this one 61-0. Team captain senior Dominic Sofia noted how a game like this helps the team improve their overall performance. “The first thing we are going to do is watch the tape and pick up on our mistakes, fix them, then try to see what we excelled at and build on it,” Sofia said. “We also got some valuable experience for our younger players that could help us later on in the season.” However, not many fans of Chief Nation, the high school students who attend the game and cheer on their fellow classmates, stayed to witness the entire game. There were a few spirited chants in the first quarter, but this fervor died down as it was made clear that
the Chiefs would dominate the game. By the end of the first quarter, nearly a third of the fans left, disinterested in the lack of competitiveness as the blowout unfolded before them. By the middle of the second quarter, the fans (at least those who were left) sat down. After the halftime entertainment, featuring the Marching Chiefs, Chiefettes, and cheerleaders, more than half of the remaining Massapequa fans left their seats. One whole side of the bleachers was completely empty, as fans chose to leave rather than show their support during the blowout of a game. “I left halfway through the game because Massapequa was winning by a lot and I felt it was unnecessary to stay,” se-
nior Frank Slator said. Many students voiced their complaints about the lack of passion at Massapequa’s homecoming game, especially seniors, being that it would the last homecoming game they might possibly ever see. “This is the weakest crowd I’ve ever seen for homecoming,” senior Justin Frascati said. “The team showed up. Apparently Chief Nation did not.” “As much as we love Chief Nation and need their support, with or without them, the train has to keep rolling,” Sofia said. “It did and we got the win.” The Chiefs look to take this offensive momentum on the road against Freeport next Saturday at 2:00pm.
JENNIE TOUTOULIS // THE CHIEF
The Chiefettes and cheerleading squads perform at halftime. JENNIE TOUTOULIS // THE CHIEF
The homecoming parade makes its way through Massapequa Park.
JENNIE TOUTOULIS // THE CHIEF
Homecoming Celebrations
The Chiefs prepare for an offensive play at homecoming.
2014 Football Schedule Date
Location
Opponent
Time
Sept. 27 Oct. 2 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 24 Nov. 1
Away Home Away Home Away Away
Freeport Plainview JFK Syosset East Meadow Oceanside Hempstead
2:00pm 4:00pm 3:00pm 2:00pm 6:00pm 2:00pm
Cheer on the Chiefs, home or away!